Numbering attachment for card punches



April 19, 1932. w. w. LASKER 1,855,133

NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR CARD PUNCHES Filed Dec. 20, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 a wa INVENTOR. William WLaI/Wr I A ORNEY April 19, .1932. w. w. LASKER NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR CARD PUNCHES Filed Dec. 20, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 mus/won William fllasfier ATTORNEYS.

April 19, 1932. w. w. LASKER 1,855,133

NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR CARD PUNCHES Filed Dec. 20, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wlll'am Lash?! TORNEYS.

April 19, 1932. w. w. LASKER NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR CARD PUNCHES Filed Dec. 20, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 A- IIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1 INVENTOR. Wlz'am WZas/w'r A TORNEY April 19, 1932. w. w. LASKER NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR CARD PUNCHES Filed Dec. 20, 1927 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 V m M April 19, 1932. w. w. LASKER I NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR CARD PUNCHES 20, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec.

m m m m TORNEY April 19, 1932. w. w. LASKER NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR CARD PUNCHES 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 20, 927

INVENTOR. iffz'llzklm Wlm'k'er A TORNEY Patented 19,; 11932 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlce.

wrmlnm w. msxnn, or nnooxnm, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR- 'ro' nmrmeron BAND", INC., on NEW YORK, N. Y., a concussion or DELAWARE nrumnnnme arracnmmtr FOR can rescue Application filed December 20, 1927. Serial No. 241,349.

This invention relates to a numbering device for attachment to card punching machines. I

One of the objects of the invention is to produce a novel card numbering device whereby cards as. they are passed from a punching machine are automatically consecutively numbered and ejected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel ribbon feeding mechanism for such a device.

Another object is to provide novel ribbon reverse mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel bi-chrome ribbon control device.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic cut out means for preventing operation of the device when no card 2 is in the printing field.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will besubsequently pointed out in the appended claims.

a In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of the attachment without the card basket.

- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device looking from the right hand side of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of the ribbon and ribbon guides and part of the bi-chrome shift mechanism.

Fig. '5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig.1.

'. ers ecti iew of the ratchet P V9\ V V I v 5 Fig. 11 is a'detail view' -mdicating the.po-.

sition of parts when the ribbon has been un-. wound from one of the spools and the re- ,versing mechanism is about to be operated.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the position of the parts directly- .Fig. 6 is a detail of the disabling mechanism whereby operation of the device is prevented when there is no card in the printing ated.

11 but taken at a moment when the printing mechanism is in its raised position and showing that pawl efiective which is shown ineffective in Fig. 11. we

Fig. 14: is a view similar to Fig. 13, but showing the position of the parts when the printing mechanism is in its lowered position.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Figs. 13 and 14:, but showing the parts directly after the ribbon reverse has been effected.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic timing chart of the operation.

Fig. 17 is a view of a punch card such as this machine is designed to operate upon, and indicating the position at which the number is printed.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts in all views.

Referring now particularly to the drawings and especially to Fig. 2 it will be seen that this device is especially constructed for use in connection with a Powers punch indicated in skeleton at 20. This Powers type of punch has ejecting rolls 21 whereby in punch machines not provided with the present invention, the cards are ejected into a card receptacle. In the present instance this receptacle is removed and the present numbering device is put in its place. After the cards are operated on by the numbering device they may be passed out intoa card receptacle, but such is not shown herein.

One instance of a Powers punch is shown in my prior patent for perforating machine #1,305,557, June 3, 1919. The machine comprises a keyboard and carriage which efiect a preliminary set-up of punches by successive operations of the keys. The machine also comprises Ja motor driven operating shaft which iscaused to make one rotation after the ejecting rolls 21 above referred to.

Fig. 13 is a view somewhat similar to Fig.

set-up has been completed. This rotation of the main shaft causes the punches to be driven through the card and the card to be. released and fed outof the machine bythe' Q Card feeding means When a card is passed from the punching mechanism by the rollers 21, 1t 1s passed lnto printing position under the number printing wheels, and after the latter have printed on 22 be driven from the punch so that the numboring device may be operated in proper timed relation to the punch. The gear 22 is fast on a'shaft 23, so as to effect rotation of said shaft 23. As seen in Figs. 1 and 8, shaft 23 carries a gear 24 which meshes with a gear 25 secured to shaft 26 in such a manner as to effect rotation of said shaft 26. Also secured to shaft 26 for rotation therewith, is

a gear 27 which meshes an idler 28, said idlerin turn driving a gear 29 secured to for rotating a shaft 30. Thus shafts 26 and 30 are turned in the same direction. Shafts 26 and 30 have secured to them feed rolls 31 and 32, respectively, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 3. Each of the rolls 31 and 32 is provided with a co-operating presser-roll or skid-roll 33, all of the rolls 33 being pressed by springs 34 toward the respective rolls 31 and 32 as is well understood in the art. All of the mechanism thus far described is supported by a general framework 35 which is constructed for ready attachment to the punch proper, and as a support for the mechanism of the attachment per se. The framework 35 includes plate elements 36 and 37 which form a card throat 38, Fig. 3. A card ejected from the punch mechanism by rolls 21 is fed into throat 38 and is grasped by feed rolls 31 and their co-operating skid-rolls 33 and pressed against card stops 39, Figs. 1 and 8. These card stops 39 are upstanding fingers formed at the rear end of a plate 40. The fingers 39 intercept the cards at the end of the throat 38 and hold each temporarily to receive the printing impression. and then the fingers are withdrawn so as to permit rolls 31, 32, and 33 to eject the card from the machine.

The plate 40 is provided with elongated slots 41 through which project pins 42 and 43, respectively. The pins 42 and 43 are riveted or otherwise secured in the plate 37 and pin 43 provided with heads between which and the plate, a coil spring 44 is placed. This coil spring tends constantly to hold the fingers 39 up in intercepting relation to the throat 38.

The vertical movement of plate 40 .is limited by the contact of the upper end of a plate 45 secured to plate 40 in any desirable manner and adapted to contact with the underside of the plate 37. The depending portion of plate 45 is provided with a slot 46 through which is inserted the free end of a rock shaft 48. The rock shaft 48 also carrock arm 47, which is fixedly attached to a ries a depending rock arm 49, the lower end of which carries a roller 50 riding on the periphery of a cam disk 51 pinned or otherwise fixed on shaft 23. Each rotation of shaft 23 will through the parts 51,50, 49, 48, 47, and 45 cause the fingers or shutters 39 to move out of and then b'ackto card intercepting position.

Printing mechanism While a cardis held in the throat '38, the numbering type are brought down to effect printing, and on the return stroke, the numering type are set for the next succeeding consecutive number. We shall now consider .the mechanism whereby the numbering type are moved to cause an impression.

Rising from the framework 35, Fig. 1, are supports 52 which support a pivot rod 53. A sleeve 54, Fig. 8, is rotatably supported by said rod at its center, and carries a pair of side members 55. These side members 55 are spaced apart and rigidly secured together by the sleeve 54 and tie rods 56, the whole forming a rocking I rinting frame. This frame is normally be d by a spring 57 with its right end, as seen in Fig. 1, up and disosed over that portion of the card on which it is desired to print the number. This free end of the printing frame supports a head 58 formed with slots 59 which receive the flanges 60 of a numbering head 61. This numbering head is formed with a recess 62 in its upper surface to receive the lower end of a spring pressed pin 63. The upper end of pin, 63 is secured to a finger piece or knurled nut 64 whereby it may be raised to release the numbering head so that the latter may be readily detached at the will of the operator. Pivotally secured to the printing frame is a depending link 65 which carries at its lower end a roller 66 (see also Fig. 3). This roller 66 is normally disposed under the free end of a rock arm 67 freely mounted on the rock shaft 48, and the rock arm is held up by a spring 68 secured at opposite ends to pins projecting from arm 67 and framework 35. Arock arm 69 is also freely pivoted on shaft48 and is secured to rock arm 67 by a effecting such adjustment. Shaft 23 carries a cam 74 which at each cycle of operation rocks arm 69 by bearing against a roller 75 carried by said arm.- This arm 69 effects rocking of arm 67 against roller 66-thereby depressing the link 65 and the printing frame 'so'as to effect a printing impression by the numbering head.

' pivoted to 'it, theupper end of thepin being 1 Non print nwcham'sm.

Means are provided for preventing operation of the printing frame whenever desired, and for automatically preventing operation of the printing frame when there is no card in the printing position. The. means for these purposes will now be described.

It will be recalled that the link 65 is pivotally mounted on the printing frame. From Fig. 1 it will be seen that the link extends above its pivot rod and carries a springpressed pin 7 6 which normally presses against the head 58 so as to throw roller 66 under arm 67. The pivot rod 77 on which link 65 is pivoted is riveted or otherwise secured to the side frames so as not to be rotatable therein. A set screw 78 is threaded into the link and by manually moving the link 65 so as to remove roller 66 from under arm 67 and then tightening screw 78, the roller is secured out of operative relation with arm 67 and the printing frame will not be reciprocated, until screw 78 is again loosened.

' Also a hooked link 79, Fig. 1, may be mounted in any desired manner in such relation to screw 78 as to draw the latter upwardly for rendering the roller 66 ineffective, link 79 being operable, by a key and any desired train of linkage from the punch keyboard In this way the numbering may be manually held ineffective as long as the operator desires.

' Turning now to the means for automatically preventing printing when there is no card in the printing position, 80, Figs. 1 and 6, represents a pin slidably supported in the frame 35 and having .its outer end contacting link 65, andits inner end in the path of the upper arm 81 of a rock lever pivoted at 82 to a stationary part and havingtfa nearly horizontal are: 83.; A spring 84'se;

cured to the ,end of arm 83 .and extending therefrom to a pinmounted on a stationary pa'rt, 'tends c'onstantly to rock lever 81- 83 so asgto shoot pin against link 65to -inoye the latter to inoperative position. 1

Arm 83 has anfupsta'nding sensing pin 85 guided in a boss 86 formed on thewlower side of plate 37. If there is. no card in the throat 38 and the pin 85 is permitted to move up, it is obvious that lever 8183 will be rocked and the printing prevented; whereas, if the pin 85 encounters send, the rock lever willbe prevented from moving pin 80 and-"printing will be effected.

However, it is necessary that the pin 85 shall be withdrawn from the card passage 38 to permit each card to: enter and take up proper printing position, For this purpose, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 5, the shaft 23 is provided with a cam 87 which, at each cycle of operation rides against-a roller 88 carried by the lower arm 89 of.a rock-lever against longitudinal movement by sto 'collars' 90. A spring 91 tends constanty to hold an the. upper arm 92 of the rock lever. This upper arm 92 extends over the arm 83 and when it is depressed by the actionof cam 87, it causes the pin 85-to move down so gs to free throat 38 for the ingress-0f can s.

The ribbon feed The types of the numbering head 61 efi'cct printing on. the card 93by means of a bichrome ribbon 94, the mounting and feeding of which will now be described.

The ribbon 94, Fig. 1, has its opposite ends secured to rollers, or pins '95 which are mounted in' slots 96 in the sides of a pair of spools 97 and 98. As shown in Fig. 4, the ribbon passes from the spools to a vibratory ribbon guide 99 which is formed at its free end with a central printing opening 100 across which the ribbon is stretched, and at opposite sides with 45 angle guides 101, the ribbon being brought under guide rollers 102 and placed on the member 99 as indicated in said Fig. 4. i

The ribbon guide is vibratory in that it can move up and down so as tov normally hold the ribbon above the'plate 36, as shown in Fig. 3, and so as to be able to carry the rib-.

bon' down thru the upper plate 36 and against the card to be printed on. the platen. The ribbon guide is carried down by the numbering head at each stroke,

Plate 37 forms and is moved upwardly by a spring 103 secured at one end to a pin 104 and at the other end to a pin- 105 secured at the top of the guide 99. The upward movement of the guide' is limited by the head of a screw 106.

{The screw 106 and pin 104 pass thru slots 1 107 i the guide 99 so as to permit a limited iliary frame members 52, Fig. 5, and are provided with respective ratchet wheels 109 and 110 which are secured to them. The. spools and ratchets are held at their respective ends ofsh'aft 108 by'a'U-shaped leaf spring 111,

Figs. l a'nd 8. Each ratchet wheel has an inwardly projecting pin 112 which may be engaged by. a pin 113 on shaft 108 by sliding the shaft 108 longitudinally. When these pins are in register the respective wheel and spool may be manually rotated by a fin-, 'ger crank 114. In Fig. 1, it will be seen that there are two pawls 115 and 116. These are cooperative, respectively, with the ratchet wheels 109 and 110, and they are both moved down and up by the printing frame on which they are pivoted. Of course there is only one of these pawls active at a time, and the means whereby this is assured and whereby their etl'ectiveness is automatically alternated will be presently set forth.

Iii-chrome rib/)0 control Upon consideration of Figs. 2 and 4 it will be apparent that all that is needed to effect a bi-ehrome shift of the ribbon, is to move the ribbon guide 99 longitudinally. This is done in the present instance by moving a slide 117 which is loosely connected at one end to the guide 99 as shown in Fig. 4, and which has its other end formed with a slot 118 embracing a pin 119. The slide is also provided with a pin 120 which rests against the cam face 121 of a cam lever 122, the face 121 terminating at each end in a retaining notch 123 for holding the slide in its respective positions. In the position shown in Fig. 2, the slide is retracted as is also the ribbon guide, such being due to the effect of spring 103 which forces pin 120 against cam face 121 as well as holds the ribbon guide 99 up. Upon moving lever122 counter-clockwise, the slide 117 will be forced toward the guide 99 and will carry the guide and ribbon to the position shown in Fig. 4. Thus we have a simple and etiicient means for providing a bi-chrome shift of the ribbon.

Automatic ribbon reverse Means are provided for automatically reversing the direction of feed of the ribbon when either of the spools is unwound. This means will now be described, particular attention being invited to Figs. 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 13. 14 and 15.

Tn Figs. 9 and 10, it will be seen that pawls 115 and 116 are drawn toward their respective ratchets by springs 124 and 125 and both would be drawn into engagement with the ratchets if it were not for a double cam element 126, Fig. 7 provided with cams 127 and 128 for striking the tails of pawls '115 and 116 respectively, so that only one of these pawls may be effective at a time.

It will now be understood that all that is necessary to effect ribbon reverse is to reverse the effectiveness of cams 127 and 128. This is accomplished by turning the entire cam element 126 from one to the other of two positions.

In Fig. 1, pawl 116 is driving its ratchet to wind the ribbon ofl spool 97, and the last turn is being unwound. which carries the double cam 126 is shown to have secured to it a member 130 having notches 131 and 132 in its upper edge for receiving a roller 133 on a spring pressed arm 134 so as to hold the double cam element 126 in either position to which it may be The end of rod 129v moved. The lower edge of member 130 is cut out to form a notch 135 and has an abutment finger 136. As the parts move to the f position shown in Fig. 11, the pin 95 of empty spool 97 is drawn outwardly and comes against a shoulder 137 of a slide 138 which is slotted at 139, to embrace rod and has feet 140 and 141 restingon the plate. 36. A spring 142 tends constantly to drive the slide 138 toward the printing head. The printing head being down the notch 135 has embraced a shoulder 143 on the slide 138. As the printing head goes up, the ribbon is again fed by pawl 116 which causes the pin 95 of spool 97 to move shoulder 137 and slide 138 to the left in Fig. 11 until shoulder 143 will stand in the downward path of abutment finger 136. Vhen the printing frame makes its next down stroke, shoulder 143 receives finger 136 and causes member 130 tobe turned until theroller 133 snaps into notch 131, as shown in Fig. 12. By turning member 130 the double cam element 126 has been turned so that pawl 116 is rendered ineffective and pawl 115 is rendered effective.

The ribbon now winds onto spool 97 and off spool 98 until We have the condition shown in Fig. 13. Here we find a slide 144 similar to slide 138 but arranged at the 0pposite side of the printing frame. There is. however, mounted on this end of the shaft 129 merely a lug or finger 145 which extends towards the printing head. Theslide 144 is longer than slide 138 and extends beyond shaft 129 where it has an upturned shoulder 146. The feeding progresses to the position shown in Fig. 14. As the printing frame rises from this position, the pawl 115 effects further feeding of the ribbon which causes the end of pin 95 in the spool 98 to move slide 144 until shoulder 146 stands under finger 145. Upon the next printing stroke, the finger 146 turns lug 145 and shifts double cam 126 to again render pawl 116 operative and pawl 115 inoperative.

Also if desired, a finger-piece 148, Fig. 1, may be operated to shift the double cam 126 and reverse the ribbon.

A point of interest is presented by the notches 150 of cams 127 and 128. As seen in Fig. 10, when the notch 150 is opposite the tail of the pawl and the pawl is resting against its ratchet wheel with the printing frame up, there is considerable clearance between the pawl and the bottom of the notch so as to permit thepawl to remain engaged with the ratchet during the down stroke of the printing frame.

A link 149, Fig. 1 may be connected in any suitable manner to operate a counter at the front of the machine if desired, and the numbering wheels 'of head 61 may be actuated by any desirable well known means to effect .myself to the specific embodiment herein' counting upon reciprocation of the printing head.

Timing Now having described the mechanism, the 4 time relation of the various movements Wlll" be set forth, particular reference being made to Fig. 16. Considering a single cycle of operation of shaft 23 or a single complete cycle of movement of the printing frame as the unit, we start as at a with the begimnng of the downward movement of the printing head or stamp, we proceed to a point in the cycle marked b at which time the printing occurs. The printing head starts up from b and during its upward movement, we pass thru the instant indicated at 0 and (l at which instant the shutter 3940 starts down to release the stamped card, and the sensing pin is beginning to be drawn down. At the instant e the stamp or printing head is fully up and simultaneously as indicated at f the shutter is fully open, and, as indicated at g the stamped card begins its exit. The stamp or printing head now remains up during the remainder of the cycle, during which time, the following operations occur: at h sensing pin 85 is clear of the card and is held so; at i the new card begins to feed in from the punch mechanism; at y the shutter 3940 starts to close; the stamped card is completelyejected at In and the shutter completely closed at Z; at m the new card has completely entered the card throat 38 and is against the stops 39, and simultaneously as indicated at n, the sensing pin 85 starts up, completing such movement at the instant 0.

While I have described what I consider to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that minor changes might be made without departing from the spirit of invention, and I therefore do not limit shown and described, nor to anything less than the whole of my invention as hereinafter claimed. What I claim is: 1.- In combination, a numbering head, an inking ribbon, means for feeding cards to and from printing position, means for moving said head against said ribbon, a sensing device for determining whether there is a card inprinting position or not, means operable by-said sensing device for rendering the second said means ineffective, and means operable by movement of said numbering head for feeding said ribbon.

2. In combination, a movable numbering head, ink ribbon spools, a set of brackets,

means supporting said head and spools at spaced places in said brackets, ratchet wheels for driving said spools, actuating pawls mounted on said head for actuating said ratchet wheels by movement of said head,

means carried bysaid numbering-head for reversing the operation of said pawls, and

means positioned under control of the ends of the ribbon as the ends ofthe ribbon are unwound from the spools to cause said reversing mechanism to function;

head, ink ribbon spools, a set of brackets, means supporting said head and spools at spaced places in said brackets, ratchet wheels for driving said spools, actuating pawls mounted on said head for actuating said ratchet wheels by movement of said head, means carried by said numbering head for reversing the operation of said pawls, means moved from their non-functioning position to their functioning position as the ends of the ribbon are unwound 'from the spools, and means connected to said reversing mechanism and adapted to be moved by said head against said last mentioned means when in its func ti-oning positidn for actuating saidreversing mechanism. I

4. A numbering attachment adapted to receive cards from a perforating machine and having an operating shaft geared to the operating mechanism of said perforating machine and comprising a numbering head, connections from said driving shaft to operate said numbering head, a sensing device and means controlled by said sensing device for disabling said connections in the absence of a card.

5. A numbering attachment adapted to receive cards from a perforating machine and having a drive shaft geared to the operating mechanism of said machine and comprising 'a numbering head, means operated by said shaft for operating said head to print consecutive numbers on the cards, card feeding means and-card arresting means, said operating, feeding and arresting means being operated by said shaft in timed relation to the reception of cards fromsaid perforating machine. y

6. A card numbering attachment adapted to receive cards from a perforating machine and comprising a numbering device, a movable frame on which said numbering device is mounted, a drive shaft geared to the operating mechanism of said perforating machine, connections from said shaft to said pivoted frame to press said numbering device against a card in timed relation to the reception of cards from the perforating machine, asensing device arranged to disable said connections in the absence of a card, and ink ribbon mechanism including feed mechanism operated by said movable frame.

7. A numbering attachment adapted to receive cards from a perforating machine comprising a stationary flat bed or platen onto which the cards are fed from the ejecting mechanism of the perforating machine, feed rollers associated with said bed to feed the cards onto, across and off of it, a movable shutter for temporarily arresting cards in printing position, a movably mounted numbering 3. In combination, a movable numbering head, a drive shaft geared to the operating mechanism of said perforating machine, and means operated from said drive shaft for actuating said shutter and said numbering head in timed relation to the reception of cards from said perforating machine.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

\VILLIAM \V. LASKER.

7 CERTIFICATE GIT-CORRECTION. PatentNo. 1,855,133. April 19, 1932.

. WILLIAM w. LASKER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printedspecificatlon of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, after line 3 6,

. insert the following paragraphs:

ltjwi ll be seen that the whole operationof the numbering attachment takes place in timed relation to the reception of cards from the perforating machine. The cards are, of course ejected .from the perforating machine in timed relation to the other operations due to the main or drive shaft of that machine. As has i been explained above the drive shaft 23 of the numbering attachment is geared to and turns in unison with the main shaft of the perforating machine.

The numbering head is adapted to print consecutive numbers on the cards and the numbers are changed as is common in such numbering heads at each printing operation. It is apparent that the numbering would be-spoiled if the numbering head were operated when there-was no card in the machine because the numeral wheels would be turned at a time when no card was printed. Thus in the first operation of. the punch when running off a series of cards the shaft 23 of the numbering attachment will make its rotation but there will be no card under the numbering head and the sensing device prevents an operation of said numbering head. Also, a card might. fail tofeed into the numbering attachment by reason of some failure of operation of the perforating machine and if the numbering head were operated at that time the numbering would be spoiled as it would also if some person should for some reason impart a rotation to the'main shaft of the perforating machine at a time when there was no card in the machine and no perforating was contemplated.

I have spoken of the mechanism herein described as an attachment but it will be obvious that it can be built into the machine in the first instance without departing from the invention. I

It may be noted that the ribbonfeed is operated by the movable frame which carries the numbering head and that this movable frame may, in some instances, be idle when the machine is operated. The construction is such that in case the numberinghead is not operated the ribbon will not be fed and no ribbon will be wasted. This avoids uneven use of the ink ribbon.

In my pr-ior patent #1,684, 545 for numbering and accounting device, dated September 18, 1928, I have shown a numbering attachment to a Powers perforating machine and I do not claim herein anything described in my said prior patent.

' By the present invention 1 have provided better mechanism for the purpose than is shown in prior patent.

v And that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 19th day of alone, A. D. I934.' Bryan M. Battey (Seal) I Acting Commissioner of Patents, 

